Anthony Gonzales 1 Minute Test [OK]

[anthonygonzales28]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/1_minute_test_anthonygonzales.mp3

Recorded in GarageBand for Mac OS

Excited to start helping out, let me know what I can improve!

Have a great day!

[InTheDesert]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/1_minute_test_anthonygonzales.mp3

Recorded in GarageBand for Mac OS

Excited to start helping out, let me know what I can improve!

Have a great day!

1 Minute Test Feedback:

Welcome to Librivox and thanks for posting your test file. We look forward to you joining the community!

Reading Feedback:
You have a clear, confident voice.

Technical Feedback:

• 00:00 Note (no change needed): The volume of this track is 86.19dB. LV requires the overall volume for the track (measured by ReplayGain - you can try this tool if you want to check the volume) to be between 86-92dB (with 89dB being the ideal). The file falls within the outer ends of that range and so doesn't need to be changed but watch that it doesn't end up outside the range. The easiest way to automatically set the volume is to use the 'Loudness Normalization' effect (set to -19LUFS in 'perceived loudness' mode) in recent versions of Audacity before exporting the track as an MP3. If you use RMS normalization, set it to -21dB. Another way would be to use the Amplify effect set to 3dB.
• 00:00 Librivox needs mono files but this is stereo.
• 00:00 You've said you are using Garageband as your recording software. While it is a good application in general, it has no way to export mp3 files in mono, which is what Librivox requires (It claims to have a mono mode but it always exports in stereo). You will probably find it difficult to work in Garageband in the long term for Librivox and most volunteers switch to a different application eventually. A free alternative that runs on Mac is Audacity and is the program used by the majority of Librivox volunteers.
• 00:00 I think I would tend to describe this audio as 'overprocessed'. It's hard to describe what it is exactly - it can sound metallic or like there is a little reverb. Or that the 's' sounds are very prominent but other consonants are muffled. The cause is usually applying too many effects - particularly noise reduction which can rip out the mid-tones which give clarity. 2-6dB of noise reduction are usually all that is required. It could also be caused by exporting the file too early as an mp3 instead of performing your edits on the original recording.

Once you've tweaked these settings, upload the file again using the same filename (uploading to the same filename is important when you are submitting Librivox files) and post in the thread and I'll check it for you again!

[anthonygonzales28]

Thank you so much for your feedback. I made the switch to Audacity and attempted again. Does the file below work better?

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/1_minute_test_anthonygonzales.mp3

[InTheDesert]

Thank you so much for your feedback. I made the switch to Audacity and attempted again. Does the file below work better?

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/1_minute_test_anthonygonzales.mp3

Reading Feedback:
The overprocessing has been greatly improved!

Technical Feedback:

• 00:00 The volume of this track is 78.37dB. LV requires the overall volume for the track (measured by ReplayGain - you can try this tool if you want to check the volume) to be between 86-92dB (with 89dB being the ideal). The easiest way to fix this automatically is to use the 'Loudness Normalization' effect (set to -19LUFS in 'perceived loudness' mode) in recent versions of Audacity before exporting the track as an MP3. If you use RMS normalization, set it to -21dB. Another way to fix it would be to use the Amplify effect set to 11dB. Since the volume is so low, amplifying it sufficiently would increase the background noise a lot. Did you accidentally have the microphone slider lower than intended or were you further from the microphone than you should be?
• 00:00 Librivox needs mp3 files with a constant bitrate of 128kbps. This file is 98kbps. Since that is not one of the standard mp3 bitrates, you probably selected 'variable' rather than 'constant' bitrate.

Once you've tweaked these settings, upload the file again using the same filename (uploading to the same filename is important when you are submitting Librivox files) and post in the thread and I'll check it for you again!

[anthonygonzales28]

Sorry, still getting used to Audacity, I had accidentally adjusted the microphone volume much lower. Below is the newly adjusted file.

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/1_minute_test_anthonygonzales.mp3

[InTheDesert]

Sorry, still getting used to Audacity, I had accidentally adjusted the microphone volume much lower. Below is the newly adjusted file.

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/1_minute_test_anthonygonzales.mp3

The technical specs of your test are fine and you are ready to record! Make sure you use the same settings as your test in future recordings. For any future files you submit, make sure that the intro has 0.75 seconds of silence at the start and 5 seconds of silence at the end. Also check the required filename in the project thread.

The best first step would be to take a section in a group project. You can find a list of open projects here (non-English here).

When you claim your very first section, don't forget to also post the name that you would like to appear in the catalog. Some people use their real name, a pseudonym or just a repeat of their forum username. You might prefer privacy or to use it as an opportunity to advertise yourself as a narrator.

[anthonygonzales28]

Awesome, thank you so much, I appreciate all of your help!